Wellington Brewers Continue Their Reign as National Beer Champions

The capital city has once again proven itself to be the land of hop-portunity for local beer makers, with two of the city's most popular breweries cleaning up at the 2015 Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) Awards.

Recognising services to the beer community, the annual awards are voted on by the SOBA members, a commixture of beverage lovers described as the most clued up beer drinkers in the country.

Known for producing small batch experimental beers - like a cookies and cream ale, a mushroom and truffle porter, and a red ale inspired by a hipster flag design - Garage Project claimed the title of Best Brewery for the second year running. The company run out of an old garage in Te Aro Valley was recognised as the fastest growing New Zealand company last year, expanding more than 600 per cent in one year.

As well as collecting a nod in the brewery category as runner up, Upper Hutt's Panhead Brewery also managed to defend their sought after title for Best Beer. Taking out the prize in 2014 with their IPA The Vandal, this time the brewing maestros impressed local beer lovers with their powerful American-style Pale Ale, Super Charger. Garage Project came in second place Death From Above, an Indochine Pale Ale with notes of Vietnamese mint, lime and chilli.

City Works Depot's Brothers Beer took home the prize for best Auckland craft beer bar, while Hashigo Zake scooped the acknowledgement for Wellington.

See the list of winners below.

Beer of the Year
Panhead, Super Charger
Runner Up: Garage Project, Death From Above

Brewery of the Year
Garage Project
Runner Up: Panhead

Best Bar
Brothers Beer (Auckland)
Hashigo Zake (Wellington)

Best Restaurant
Hallertau (Auckland)
Ortega Fish Shack (Wellington)

Best Off License
Hopscotch Beer Company (Auckland)
Regional Wines and Spirits (Wellington)

Best Beer Event
City of Ales (Auckland)
Pacific Beer Expo (Wellington)